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Konarska A, Weryszko-Chmielewska E, Sulborska-Różycka A, Kiełtyka-Dadasiewicz A, Dmitruk M, Gorzel M. Herb and Flowers of Achillea millefolium subsp. millefolium L.: Structure and Histochemistry of Secretory Tissues and Phytochemistry of Essential Oils. Molecules 2023; 28:7791. [PMID: 38067521 PMCID: PMC10708006 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28237791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Achillea millefolium L. herb and flowers have high biological activity; hence, they are used in medicine and cosmetics. The aim of this study was to perform morpho-anatomical analyses of the raw material, including secretory tissues, histochemical assays of the location of lipophilic compounds, and quantitative and qualitative analysis of essential oil (EO). Light and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used to analyse plant structures. The qualitative analyses of EO were carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The results of this study showed the presence of exogenous secretory structures in the raw material, i.e., conical cells (papillae) on the adaxial surface of petal teeth and biseriate glandular trichomes on the surface flowers, bracts, stems, and leaves. Canal-shaped endogenous secretory tissue was observed in the stems and leaves. The histochemical assays revealed the presence of total, acidic, and neutral lipids as well as EO in the glandular trichome cells. Additionally, papillae located at the petal teeth contained neutral lipids. Sesquiterpenes were detected in the glandular trichomes and petal epidermis cells. The secretory canals in the stems were found to contain total and neutral lipids. The phytochemical assays demonstrated that the A. millefolium subsp. millefolium flowers contained over 2.5-fold higher amounts of EO (6.1 mL/kg) than the herb (2.4 mL/kg). The EO extracted from the flowers and herb had a similar dominant compounds: β-pinene, bornyl acetate, (E)-nerolidol, 1,8-cineole, borneol, sabinene, camphor, and α-pinene. Both EO samples had greater amounts of monoterpenes than sesquiterpenes. Higher amounts of oxygenated monoterpenes and oxygenated sesquiterpenoids were detected in the EO from the herb than from the flowers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agata Konarska
- Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15, 20-950 Lublin, Poland; (A.K.); (E.W.-C.); (M.D.)
| | - Elżbieta Weryszko-Chmielewska
- Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15, 20-950 Lublin, Poland; (A.K.); (E.W.-C.); (M.D.)
| | - Aneta Sulborska-Różycka
- Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15, 20-950 Lublin, Poland; (A.K.); (E.W.-C.); (M.D.)
| | - Anna Kiełtyka-Dadasiewicz
- Department of Plant Production Technology and Commodities Science, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland;
- Garden of Cosmetic Plants and Raw Materials, Research and Science Innovation Center, 20-819 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Marta Dmitruk
- Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 15, 20-950 Lublin, Poland; (A.K.); (E.W.-C.); (M.D.)
| | - Małgorzata Gorzel
- Garden of Cosmetic Plants and Raw Materials, Research and Science Innovation Center, 20-819 Lublin, Poland;
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Vincent Pol University in Lublin, 20-816 Lublin, Poland
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Bailes EJ, Moscrop J, Mitchell S, Dorling M, Wood T, Thomas J, Glover BJ. Bumblebee responses to variation in pollinator-attracting traits of Vicia faba flowers. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10617. [PMID: 37953990 PMCID: PMC10638492 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Adaptations that attract pollinators to flowers are central to the reproductive success of insect-pollinated plants, including crops. Understanding the influence of these non-rewarding traits on pollinator preference is important for our future food security by maintaining sufficient crop pollination. We have identified substantial variation in flower shape, petal size, corolla-tube length, petal spot size and floral volatile compounds among a panel of 30 genetically distinct lines of Vicia faba. Using this variation, we found that Bombus terrestris was able to distinguish between natural variation in petal spot size, floral volatile emissions and corolla-tube length. Foragers showed some innate preference for spotted flowers over non-spotted flowers and preferred shorter corolla-tube lengths over longer tubes. Our results suggest that some floral traits may have significant potential to enhance pollinator attraction to V. faba crops, particularly if paired with optimised rewards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J. Bailes
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
- NIABCambridgeUK
| | - Jake Moscrop
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Sarah Mitchell
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Matthew Dorling
- Department of Plant SciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
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Jeganathan B, Temelli F, Vasanthan T. Micromorphological and elemental characteristics of chickpea, faba bean, field pea, and lentil cotyledon topographies. Cereal Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/cche.10499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brasathe Jeganathan
- Department of Agricultural Food and Nutritional Science University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | - Feral Temelli
- Department of Agricultural Food and Nutritional Science University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
| | - Thava Vasanthan
- Department of Agricultural Food and Nutritional Science University of Alberta Edmonton AB Canada
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Abstract
Plant epidermis are multifunctional surfaces that directly affect how plants interact with animals or microorganisms and influence their ability to harvest or protect from abiotic factors. To do this, plants rely on minuscule structures that confer remarkable properties to their outer layer. These microscopic features emerge from the hierarchical organization of epidermal cells with various shapes and dimensions combined with different elaborations of the cuticle, a protective film that covers plant surfaces. Understanding the properties and functions of those tridimensional elements as well as disentangling the mechanisms that control their formation and spatial distribution warrant a multidisciplinary approach. Here we show how interdisciplinary efforts of coupling modern tools of experimental biology, physics, and chemistry with advanced computational modeling and state-of-the art microscopy are yielding broad new insights into the seemingly arcane patterning processes that sculpt the outer layer of plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucie Riglet
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, Bateman Street, CB2 1LR, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stefano Gatti
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, Bateman Street, CB2 1LR, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Edwige Moyroud
- The Sainsbury Laboratory, Bateman Street, CB2 1LR, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Genetics, Downing Site, CB2 3EJ, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Adhikari KN, Khazaei H, Ghaouti L, Maalouf F, Vandenberg A, Link W, O'Sullivan DM. Conventional and Molecular Breeding Tools for Accelerating Genetic Gain in Faba Bean ( Vicia Faba L.). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:744259. [PMID: 34721470 PMCID: PMC8548637 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.744259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Faba bean is a cool-season grain legume crop, which is grown worldwide for food and feed. Despite a decrease in area under faba bean in the past, the interest in growing faba bean is increasing globally due to its high seed protein content and its excellent ecological service. The crop is, however, exposed to diverse biotic and abiotic stresses causing unstable, low grain yield. Although, sources of resistance to main diseases, such as ascochyta blight (Ascochyta fabae Speg.), rust (Uromyces viciae-fabae (Pers.) Schroet.), chocolate spot (Botrytis fabae Sard.) and gall disease (Physioderma viciae), have been identified, their resistance is only partial and cannot prevent grain yield losses without agronomical practices. Tightly associated DNA markers for host plant resistance genes are needed to enhance the level of resistance. Less progress has been made for abiotic stresses. Different breeding methods are proposed, but until now line breeding, based on the pedigree method, is the dominant practice in breeding programs. Nonetheless, the low seed multiplication coefficient and the requirement for growing under insect-proof enclosures to avoid outcrossing hampers breeding, along with the lack of tools such as double haploid system and cytoplasmic male sterility. This reduces breeding population size and speed of breeding hence the chances of capturing rare combinations of favorable alleles. Availability and use of the DNA markers such as vicine-convicine (vc -) and herbicide tolerance in breeding programs have encouraged breeders and given confidence in marker assisted selection. Closely linked QTL for several biotic and abiotic stress tolerance are available and their verification and conversion in breeder friendly platform will enhance the selection process. Recently, genomic selection and speed breeding techniques together with genomics have come within reach to accelerate the genetic gains in faba bean. Advancements in genomic resources with other breeding tools, methods and platforms will enable to accelerate the breeding process for enhancing genetic gain in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kedar N. Adhikari
- The University of Sydney, School of Life and Environmental Science, Plant Breeding Institute, Narrabri, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Lamiae Ghaouti
- Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine Hassan II, Department of Plant Production, Protection and Biotechnology, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Fouad Maalouf
- International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Albert Vandenberg
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Wolfgang Link
- Department of Crop Sciences, Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Donal M. O'Sullivan
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
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Javed S, Javaid A, Hanif U, Bahadur S, Sultana S, Shuaib M, Ali S. Effect of necrotrophic fungus and PGPR on the comparative histochemistry of Vigna radiata by using multiple microscopic techniques. Microsc Res Tech 2021; 84:2737-2748. [PMID: 34028133 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.23836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Rapid advances in the field of pathogen detection have opened new opportunities and better understanding for their management approaches. Aim of this study was to elucidate histopathological observations of different tissues affected by Macrophomina phaseolina and to observe the defense responses of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) in mungbean plants. Sections of the stem and root were prepared and stained with ferric chloride, Lugol's iodine and Wiesner's reagent and were then observed under multiple microscopic techniques. Results revealed that both pathogen and PGPR produce responses on the plant that include colonization of xylem vessels by hyphae and sclerotia, hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the cells, destruction of xylem fibers and amyloplasts in parenchymatous cells; and production of gels by the plant were observed. There was a significant increase in lignin and phenolic compounds deposition in stem and root sections of PGPR treated and non-treated mungbean plants. Whereas the soil amended with PGPR showed very less to no starch production. Moreover, production of gels and gums were also observed in both stem and root sections. Compared to light microscopy, scanning electron microscope provided greater depth of focus and resolution of the pathogen attack on plant tissues, associated bacteria. As a whole, the data demonstrated that inoculation of PGPR can be an effective strategy to stimulate plant growth and they could significantly activate disease resistance against M. phaseolina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidra Javed
- Institute of Agriculture Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Arshad Javaid
- Department of Botany, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Uzma Hanif
- Department of Botany, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Saraj Bahadur
- College of Forestry, Hainan University, Haikou, China
| | - Shazia Sultana
- Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shuaib
- School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Sajjad Ali
- Department of Botany, Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Pakistan
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Takahashi S, Ozawa S, Sonoike K, Sasaki K, Nishihara M. Morphological and cytological observations of corolla green spots reveal the presence of functional chloroplasts in Japanese gentian. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237173. [PMID: 32845897 PMCID: PMC7449470 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Gentian is an important ornamental flower in Japan. The corolla of the majority of cultivated Japanese gentians have green spots, which are rarely encountered in flowers of other angiosperms. Little information is available on the functional traits of the green spots. In this study, we characterized the green spots in the Japanese gentian corolla using a number of microscopic techniques. Opto-digital microscopy revealed that a single visible green spot is composed of approximately 100 epidermal cells. The epidermal cells of a green spot formed a dome-like structure and the cell lumen contained many green structures that were granular and approximately 5 μm in diameter. The green structures emitted red autofluorescence when irradiated with 488 nm excitation light. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the green structures contained typical thylakoids and grana, thus indicating they are chloroplasts. No grana were observed and the thylakoids had collapsed in the plastids of epidermal cells surrounding green spots. To estimate the rate of photosynthetic electron transfer of the green spots, we measured chlorophyll fluorescence using the MICROSCOPY version of an Imaging-PAM (pulse-amplitude-modulated) fluorometer. Under actinic light of 449 μmol m-2 s-1, substantial electron flow through photosystem II was observed. Observation of green spot formation during corolla development revealed that immature green spots formed at an early bud stage and developed to maturity associated with chloroplast degradation in the surrounding epidermal cells. These results confirmed that the Japanese gentian corolla contains functional chloroplasts in restricted areas of epidermal cells and indicated that a sophisticated program for differential regulation of chloroplast formation and degradation is operative in the epidermis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suguru Ozawa
- Iwate Agricultural Research Center, Kitakami, Iwate, Japan
| | - Kintake Sonoike
- Faculty of Education and Integrated Arts and Sciences, Waseda University, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Katsutomo Sasaki
- Institute of Vegetable and Floriculture Science, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
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McCoy DE, McCoy VE, Mandsberg NK, Shneidman AV, Aizenberg J, Prum RO, Haig D. Structurally assisted super black in colourful peacock spiders. Proc Biol Sci 2020; 286:20190589. [PMID: 31088270 PMCID: PMC6532503 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.0589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Male peacock spiders (Maratus, Salticidae) compete to attract female mates using elaborate, sexually selected displays. They evolved both brilliant colour and velvety black. Here, we use scanning electron microscopy, hyperspectral imaging and finite-difference time-domain optical modelling to investigate the deep black surfaces of peacock spiders. We found that super black regions reflect less than 0.5% of light (for a 30° collection angle) in Maratus speciosus (0.44%) and Maratus karrie (0.35%) owing to microscale structures. Both species evolved unusually high, tightly packed cuticular bumps (microlens arrays), and M. karrie has an additional dense covering of black brush-like scales atop the cuticle. Our optical models show that the radius and height of spider microlenses achieve a balance between (i) decreased surface reflectance and (ii) enhanced melanin absorption (through multiple scattering, diffraction out of the acceptance cone of female eyes and increased path length of light through absorbing melanin pigments). The birds of paradise (Paradiseidae), ecological analogues of peacock spiders, also evolved super black near bright colour patches. Super black locally eliminates white specular highlights, reference points used to calibrate colour perception, making nearby colours appear brighter, even luminous, to vertebrates. We propose that this pre-existing, qualitative sensory experience—‘sensory bias’—is also found in spiders, leading to the convergent evolution of super black for mating displays in jumping spiders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota E McCoy
- 1 Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University , 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 , USA
| | - Victoria E McCoy
- 2 Steinmann-Institut für Geologie, Mineralogie und Paläontologie, Universität Bonn , Nussallee 8, 53115 Bonn , Germany
| | - Nikolaj K Mandsberg
- 3 Department of Health Technology, Technical University of Denmark , 2800 Kongens Lyngby , Denmark.,4 John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , 9 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 , USA
| | - Anna V Shneidman
- 4 John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , 9 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 , USA
| | - Joanna Aizenberg
- 4 John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University , 9 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 , USA.,5 Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University , 12 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA , USA.,6 Kavli Institute for Bionano Science and Technology, Harvard University , 29 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA , USA
| | - Richard O Prum
- 7 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Peabody Museum of Natural History, Yale University , New Haven, CT 06511 , USA
| | - David Haig
- 1 Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University , 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 , USA
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Kraaij M, van der Kooi CJ. Surprising absence of association between flower surface microstructure and pollination system. PLANT BIOLOGY (STUTTGART, GERMANY) 2020; 22:177-183. [PMID: 31710761 PMCID: PMC7064994 DOI: 10.1111/plb.13071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/03/2019] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The epidermal cells of flowers come in different shapes and have different functions, but how they evolved remains largely unknown. Floral micro-texture can provide tactile cues to insects, and increases in surface roughness by means of conical (papillose) epidermal cells may facilitate flower handling by landing insect pollinators. Whether flower microstructure correlates with pollination system remains unknown. Here, we investigate the floral epidermal microstructure in 29 (congeneric) species pairs with contrasting pollination system. We test whether flowers pollinated by bees and/or flies feature more structured, rougher surfaces than flowers pollinated by non-landing moths or birds and flowers that self-pollinate. In contrast with earlier studies, we find no correlation between epidermal microstructure and pollination system. The shape, cell height and roughness of floral epidermal cells varies among species, but is not correlated with pollinators at large. Intriguingly, however, we find that the upper (adaxial) flower surface that surrounds the reproductive organs and often constitutes the floral display is markedly more structured than the lower (abaxial) surface. We thus conclude that conical epidermal cells probably play a role in plant reproduction other than providing grip or tactile cues, such as increasing hydrophobicity or enhancing the visual signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Kraaij
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life SciencesUniversity of GroningenGroningenthe Netherlands
| | - C. J. van der Kooi
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life SciencesUniversity of GroningenGroningenthe Netherlands
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Yuan J, Wang X, Zhou H, Li Y, Zhang J, Yu S, Wang M, Hao M, Zhao Q, Liu L, Li M, Li J. Comparison of Sample Preparation Techniques for Inspection of Leaf Epidermises Using Light Microscopy and Scanning Electronic Microscopy. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2020; 11:133. [PMID: 32158456 PMCID: PMC7052180 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2020.00133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The micro-morphology of leaf epidermises is valuable for the study of leaf development and function, as well as the classification of plant species. There have been few studies comparing different preparation and imaging methods for visualizing the leaf epidermis. Here, four specimen preparation methods were used to investigate the leaf epidermis morphology of Arabidopsis, radish, cucumber, wheat, rice, and maize, under an inverted basic light microscope (LM), a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM), or a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Optical microscope specimens were obtained using either the direct isolation method or the chloral hydrate-based clearing method. SEM images were obtained using a standard stage for conventional dehydrated samples or a Coolstage for fresh tissue. Different parts of epidermis peels were well focused under the LM. Investigation of samples cleared by chloral hydrate is convenient and autofluorescence of cell walls can be detected in rice. The resolution of images of conventional SEM leaf samples was generally higher than the Coolstage images at the same magnification, whereas local collapse and shrinkage were observed in leaves with high water content when using the conventional method. However, stomatal apparatuses of Arabidopsis, cucumber, radish, and maize deformed and showed poor appearance when using the Coolstage. Moreover, we usually used glutaraldehyde as an SEM fixative when using t-butanol for freeze-drying, though methanol is considered a better fixative in recent studies. In addition, fresh samples were not stable on the Coolstage. Thus, we compared four different t-butanol freeze-drying methods and two Coolstage methods. The dimension and morphology of tissues were compared using the six different methods. The results indicate that methanol fixative obviously reduced shrinkage of SEM samples compared with glutaraldehyde and formaldehyde alcohol acetic acid (FAA) fixatives. The use of methanol and a graded series of steps improved the preservation of samples. Preparing samples with optimal cutting temperature compound and observing at -30°C helped to increase the stability of Coolstage samples. In summary, our results provide an overview of the shortcomings and merits of four different methods, and might provide some information about choosing an optimal method for visualizing epidermal morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mingjun Li
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Nursing and Utilization of Genuine Chinese Crude Drugs, College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Junhua Li
- Engineering Technology Research Center of Nursing and Utilization of Genuine Chinese Crude Drugs, College of Life Sciences, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, China
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Le Maitre NC, Pirie MD, Bellstedt DU. Floral Color, Anthocyanin Synthesis Gene Expression and Control in Cape Erica Species. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:1565. [PMID: 31850039 PMCID: PMC6892755 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.01565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: The Cape Floristic Region (CFR) is a biodiversity hotspot, recognized globally for its unusually high levels of endemism. The origins of this biodiversity are a long-standing topic of research. The largest "Cape clade," Erica, radiated dramatically in the CFR, its ca. 690 species arising within 10-15 Ma. Notable between- and within-species flower color variation in Erica may have contributed to the origins of species diversity through its impact on pollinator efficiency and specificity. Methods: We investigate the expression and function of the genes of the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway that controls floral color in 12 Erica species groups using RT-qPCR and UPLC-MS/MS. Results: Shifts from ancestral pink- or red- to white- and/or yellow flowers were associated with independent losses of single pathway gene expression, abrogation of the entire pathway due to loss of the expression of a transcription factor or loss of function mutations in pathway genes. Discussion: Striking floral color shifts are prevalent amongst the numerous species of Cape Erica. These results show independent origins of a palette of mutations leading to such shifts, revealing the diverse genetic basis for potentially rapid evolution of a speciation-relevant trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- N C Le Maitre
- Bellstedt Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Michael David Pirie
- Johannes Gutenberg-Universität, Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- University Museum, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Dirk U. Bellstedt
- Bellstedt Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
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